Maqam of the week

Maqam of Hukat

For Shabbat Hukat (Numbers 19:1-22:1), services are conducted in Maqam HOSENI (higher version of Maqam Bayat). Hoseni (the maqam used for Matan Torah) is applied, because the idea of following the laws of Parah Adumah, a "Hok" (statute; interpreted by some as ‘a law without an explanation’) reflects the spirit of "Matan Torah" (i.e. of following a rule without knowing its explanation). Traditionally, this perasha was always combined with Perashat Korah, thereby assigning Maqam Hoseni for Korah-Hukat combined. ALIYOT: Do not stop at 19:9 ("LeMei Niddah Hattat Hee"), rather the correct stops for the first three Aliyot are: 19:3, 19:6, 19:17. Sixth Aliyah ends 21:20 and this includes the Shirah (Sephardic Pizmonim Project, www.pizmonim.com).